First, our team from Gosheni Safaris will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Afterwards, we will drive you straight to your hotel in Arusha to settle in. Once you arrive, your guide will give you a short briefing about the climb. Additionally, we will check your gear and clothing to make sure you have everything you need.

Furthermore, we will send you a detailed guide as soon as you book your trip. This guide explains everything about the weather, what to pack, and how to prepare. Specifically, it helps you get ready for the mountain before you even leave home. Eventually, you will feel confident and ready to start your adventure the next morning.

• Meals: Breakfast (B)
• Accommodation: Sg Resort

First, we will leave for the Londorossi Gate right after your breakfast. Specifically, this drive takes about two hours through the local scenery. Once we arrive at the gate, you will complete the official entry formalities. Afterwards, we will continue our drive for another hour to reach the Lemosho trail-head. Upon arrival, our team will serve you a fresh lunch before the trek begins.

Next, you will start your walk through a beautiful and undisturbed forest. Notably, the trail winds through lush greenery all the way to our first campsite. During this 3 to 4-hour hike, you can enjoy the peaceful sounds of the rainforest. Eventually, we will reach the camp where you can relax for the evening. Because the elevation is now 9,500ft, we recommend staying hydrated.

• Elevation: 7,800ft to 9,500ft
• Distance: 6 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• Meals: All meals included
• Accommodation: Budget camping

First, we will continue our walk as the trail leads out of the thick forest. Specifically, you will enter a beautiful savannah filled with tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rocks. As we move forward, you will notice the rocks are draped with unique lichen beards. Next, we will ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several small streams along the way.

Eventually, we will reach the Shira Ridge before dropping down gently to the Shira 1 Camp. From this spot, you will get an amazing view of Kibo across the vast plateau. Because we are now at 11,500ft, the landscape changes into open moorland. Finally, our team will set up the camp so you can relax and enjoy the sunset.

• Elevation: 9,500ft to 11,500ft
• Distance: 8 km
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: All meals included
• Accommodation: Budget camping

We will explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east towards Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included

From the Shira Plateau, we will continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we will come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and spend the night. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included

After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall all the way to the Karanga Valley campsite. This will be a short day of walking intended for acclimatization.

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included

After breakfast, we will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail and then continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you would have completed the South Circuit, which offers stunning views of the summit from various angles. This is also where we will camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included

At around 2 am, we will continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We will head northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim, the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point, we stop for a short rest and take in the magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. You may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you would have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the whole continent of Africa.

From the summit, we descend straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site and stop at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we will have our last dinner claim our well-deserved sleep.

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included

After breakfast, we will continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy but gaiters and trekking poles will help. It is also best to keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. From the gate, you will continue for another hour to Mweka Village.

From there, a vehicle will meet you at mweka to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha where dinner and accommodation awaits. Now is the best time to celebrate!
Accommodation: Own cost
Meals & drinks: All meals included